Chapter 2
“Hmm . . .” Talia moans as the warmth of the shower runs down her shoulder and meets with Eli’s lips. Wrapped in this sensual dance so long, the pulsing water is losing its heat; yet, the two lovers’ slick bodies continue to glide against each other. “My love, if we stay like this much longer, the children will have no warm water for their evening wash-up.”
The warrioress tries to pull away, but Eli deepens his kiss on her body, sending a delightful shiver through her. Drawing his lips away, he stares into her eyes, round, chestnut, and drowsy with passion. “My heart, I will draw them a bath and ignite the flames if I must. But know I am not releasing you until I am done with you.”
Eli slips a hand around the small of Talia’s back and draws her closer. His fingers tighten on her bronze skin so she cannot slip away. His lips find hers, muffling the sound of each other’s impassioned murmurs.
The two lovers have been stealing off for private moments as the eclipse approaches. Both are familiar with the unpredictability of war and the finality of death. As such, they have spent every moment outside of being parents and warriors, as lovers. However, their moments do not always go blissfully undisturbed.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Goes Alora’s fist against the door.
Burying herself in the crook of Eli’s shoulder, muscular and firm, Talia groans.
Dropping her leg from around his hip, Eli whispers. “It’s wrong to portal our firstborn across the island, isn’t it?”
Talia chuckles. “Yes, people would frown upon that. Though her powers are getting stronger; she may simply portal back to us.”
“Life was simpler when they were babies,” he runs dripping fingers through his locs.
Pulling back to meet his eyes, Talia says, “My love, when did our little ones become eight, nine, twelve, and fourteen?”
Holding each other’s gaze, they stay wrapped in timeless affection until Alora yells, “Would you two finish already!”
Eli looks to the door to shout back, but Talia’s gentle fingers on his lips stop him. “Don’t. She has been on edge as of late. Stay a while longer, and I will see if I can calm her spirits.”
Wrapping his fingers around her wrist, Eli raises Talia’s palm to his lips and kisses it tenderly. Lingering with his lover a moment longer, Talia expels a breath then pushes the curtain aside.
Forgoing the round of oils and moisturizer she wanted to lather over her skin, Talia dries herself and swiftly places on her clothing before tending to her daughter.
Stepping outside the bathroom, Talia hears the water turn off, and she tugs against the desire to return to Eli.
“Mom!” Alora shouts, stomping from the kitchen.
“What is wrong, Alora?” Talia asks, keeping her voice calm and even.
Talia walks to the kitchen, and her daughter rushes after her. “Mom, how can you and Dad be having sex at a time like this?”
“Alora!” Talia shouts, more in surprise than anger. The warrioress is not ignorant enough to think her children do not know the word, but she has never heard it spoken through their lips.
With a grounding breath, Alora’s shoulders rise and then fall. The young one takes a second to remember herself, as her mother takes an apple from the counter and bites.
Once she feels her words are less sharp, she continues, “I just mean the Crimson Sun could eclipse at any moment. When that happens, war is supposed to start. What if that happens immediately and you and Dad are, you know . . .” Alora gestures to the bathroom, and Talia swiftly acknowledges she understands.
“I understand, Alora. But you have nothing to worry about. If war ensues, your father and I will be ready to defend you and your siblings. Let that not be a worry for you.”
“But it is!” Alora shouts, though she drops her voice and quickly continues. “I am fourteen now. I wear a real blade when training. If something happens, I could be called to fight with you and Dad. Then what will happen to Tobias, Ellie, and Jane? And what if you can’t fight because you’re pregnant?”
The word sends a shutter through Talia and nearly makes her choke on the piece of apple in her mouth. Talia waits for her daughter to move on, though she waits for an answer. Placing the apple on the counter, Talia takes a moment, and then responds, “You have yet to begin your tutelage at the training yard. While your father and I have trained you well, you will need to do that before you are absolutely war-ready. There are many warriors far older and more prepared, so your need on the battlefield will be a last resort, my love. If war is to take place, it will be like the last, where you and your siblings—”
“But what if I don’t want it to be like the last time!” Alora interrupts with tears glistening in her eyes.
The sight of her daughter so pained and refusing to let the tears flow twists Talia’s heart into a deeper agony than if her opponent had bruised her in battle. Before she can offer comfort, Alora speaks with such rapid fire. “We nearly lost you and Dad the last time. We were in the training camps waiting for months for an answer on whether you two were dead or alive. This time they will separate me from my siblings since I am older and could get asked to fight. The prophecy says this battle is going to be the worst we have ever faced. I’m . . .” The young one’s words trail off.
Talia steps forward and wraps her daughter tightly as Alora’s body quivers with her effort to hold back tears and fear-filled words. Tenderly, Talia caresses her child’s back and head, hoping it will wash away every worry. When the shaking eases and Alora’s body feels less tense, she says, “My child, have I ever told you how frightened I was before my first battle?”
Alora’s head remains buried in her chest, but she feels her child shaking her head no. Talia nods and continues. “Young one, I, like you, was terrified. My body shook like our trees in a windstorm. I told myself I was prepared for whatever fate had in store, but my body quivered as I lay in bed waiting to be called for battle. It is okay to be afraid. But even if your foot is unsteady, we step forward as warriors. Do not hesitate in saying the word fear, but know you have trained enough, and that if needed, you will protect your siblings. As for me and your father . . .” Talia takes Alora’s head in her hands. The warrioress guides her child’s face to meet hers as she says, “This time we are much stronger and wiser. We are better prepared for battle. And there is a secret weapon.”
Alora draws her brows together, waiting for her mother to reveal the answer. Talia smiles and explains, “It is Tabatha. She is the Chosen One and has become incredibly strong in these last months.”
Rolling her eyes, Alora pulls away. “I can’t believe you. You’re sounding just like Tabatha. I bet you’re going to say something ridiculous like ‘just believe and it will work out.’”
Talia smiles warmly, then returns to her apple on the counter. Toying with her child, she says, “Oddly enough, I was. I guess the Chosen One is rubbing off on me.”
Alora shakes her head.
Taking another bite, Talia asks, “Where are your brother and sisters?”
Alora throws a thumb over her shoulder toward the window. “They are out there ‘training’ with the Chosen One.” Alora uses air quotes, mocking her siblings’ laid-back approach to war preparations. Talia does not brush away the rest of Alora’s irritation, though she is pleased to see the heaviness her child bore has somewhat shifted.
“Shall we join them?” Talia asks.
Alora violently shakes her head. “I am going to do real training.”
With that, Alora marches to the door and thrusts it open wide. Talia braces herself for the slamming door, though her child does the opposite and closes it with a light pull that only rattles the frame.
Taking the win, Talia breathes. “Thank you, ancestors, for small wins.”
Eclipse is book 3 in the trilogy. In this fiery conclusion, new beginnings take shape and deadly realizations about the true enemy come to light.
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